"First off the ice was France who give Russia a bit of a curling lesson in the World Challenge Game 1 for men. The World Challenge involves the team in A8 playing the B Group Gold Medallist and a five in the fourth end sent France on their way to a 10-4 win in eight ends.
Next off was the men's Bronze Medal game between Denmark and the Czech Republic. The game was tied 4-4 after five ends before Denmark found its feet, or maybe there was a fatigue element in the Czech camp, but Denmark scored a two in the sixth and a three in the eighth to kill the game, running Jiri Snitil's team out of stones in the tenth winning 9-6.
Next came the Women's World Challenge Game 1 between Hungary and the Czech Republic which the Czech Republic dominated from end three when they opened the scoring with a three and a pair in the sixth, to lead 5-2, was enough to see them home 7-4.
That left the Women's Bronze Medal game between Denmark and Russia. Although the final score was 13-7 this does not reflect the game at all. Russia looked to be safe leading 8-4 after eight ends but stupidly gave up three shots in the ninth. 8-7 and anything could happen, and it did. With Denmark trying to steal the one shot for an extra end, or two shots for the win, no matter where they placed the stones Russia found a way of removing them from the house.
Lene Nielsen played a lovely last stone draw into the four foot to lie shot but lay slightly open. That was all Anna sidorova needed and she played a controlled weight, picking out the Danish stone for five shots and the Bronze Medal.
Congratulations to both our Bronze Medallists, Russia and Denmark. Also to the gold medallists from the B Divisions, Russia (m) and Hungary (w), and we look forward to seeing them both in the A Group in Karlstad, Sweden, next year, together with the silver medallists Hungary (m) and Finland (w).
Now we can look forward to tomorrow morning when Scotland take on Swewden for the Women's Gold Medal at 10.00 hrs CET (06.00 at home)."
Long time blogallies will know that Skip Cottage is a fan of Ildiko Szekeres. Thanks to Leslie for the above photo of the Hungarian skip.